The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.

However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.

“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.

The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.

“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.

“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.

The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.

Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.

“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.

Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.

“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”

As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.

The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.

Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.

“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.

Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.

After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.

“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…

“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”

Andscape digital leader Erik Horne, columnists William C. Rhoden and Clinton Yates, and JJT Media Group president Jean-Jacques Taylor discuss the situation in Colorado 49-24 a win over Utah, the Buffaloes entering the College Football Playoff conversation, what would realistically be the best franchise to draft Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, our weekly “Where Will Deion Sanders Coach Next Year” briefings, and more.

Curry Brand has officially announced that De’Aaron Fox’s new Sacramento Kings signature sneaker, the Curry Fox 1, will hit shelves in time for the holiday season. The first “Happy Fox Day” colorway releases on December 6.

In October 2023, Fox signed with Curry Brand, an Under Armor brand, to change into the company’s first signature athlete. Fox can be the first athlete, alongside the brand’s president and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, to receive the brand’s signature sneakers.

The Curry Fox 1 is a low-cut basketball shoe that’s heavily influenced by some of Under Armor’s trainers. Lightweight two-tone mesh and a midfoot strap set these sneakers other than other basketball shoes. The stripe is formed like a fox tail, echoing Fox’s last name and creating more storytelling opportunities with future colours.

Fox’s logo references his nickname “Swipa” – a reference to the kid’s show Fox Swiper – by forming the fox into the letter D, his No. 5 jersey and his last name. The shoe is provided with Under Armor’s patented Flow technology on the sole, which provides traction and stability.

The launch colorway combines blue and orange with hints of gold, representing Fox’s color scheme love for Christmas and his favorite holiday movie,

Two additional versions of Fox 1 will appear in December. The “Happy Fox Day Alternate” color scheme uses deep green, gold accents and wealthy textures. The premiere will happen on December 20, which is Fox’s birthday.

“The Beam” colorway can be available on December 27 as a tribute to the Kings and its fans. A combination of light and dark purple with accents of neon green, “The Beam” is inspired by the band’s famous chant and battle cry “Light the Beam” and the tradition of lighting a beam after a victory.

“Creating Fox 1 with the Curry Brand team has been an incredible experience and a true dream come true,” Fox said in a press release. “Together we created a sneaker that not only performs on the court at the highest level, but is truly authentic to me in terms of design and every detail.”

Curry echoed Fox’s sentiments about the creation of Fox 1. “De’Aaron made sure he was involved in every step of the process,” Curry said in a news release. “From sketches and wear tests to developing different colorways, the whole process is an enjoyable journey, especially if you’re working on creating your first signature shoe. At Fox 1, he took his own approach to it and made it his own, adding personal touches along with his background and history.

Priced at $120, the Curry Fox 1 can be available at UA.com and Under Armor Brand Houses stores worldwide, at select Dick’s Sporting Goods stores and at dickssportinggoods.com.

Fox is a seven-year NBA veteran and an NBA star for the Sacramento Kings. Last season, he averaged a career-high of 27 points, 5 rebounds and a pair of steals. Fox looks set to steer the Kings back to the postseason this yr after failing to make the play-in tournament in the 2023 season.